Job overview
We are looking for an ST4 or above (or CESP (CP) equivalent) to join us as part of the RCP Chief Registrar programme to start at the beginning of October 2026. All candidates must hold a national training number. This is an essential requirement and trainees will require approval from their TPD before applying.
The chief registrar role is a leadership role for senior specialty trainees. The role provides 50% protected time to develop and implement local initiatives within the QI and patient safety work streams at Whittington Health. It will focus on, for example, service improvement, engagement and morale, education and training, workforce and sustainability. The post would be most suited to a trainee in a medical specialty as would involve on call work as duty medical registrar. Applicants from any other speciality should discuss their interest with Dr Clarissa Murdoch who will explore if we have local opportunities and funding to match other specialty interest.
Chief registrars benefit from access to a bespoke development programme provided by the RCP, which runs from September 2026 to June 2027 and comprises five 2-day modules that chief registrars are expected to attend.
Please note this post may close early if sufficient applications are received.
Main duties of the job
The Whittington Chief Registrar will be working On Trust QI and patient safety priorities, which may include some or all of the following:
1. Providing a ‘bridge’ between senior clinical leaders, managers and the wider trainee workforce to improve communication, engagement and morale.
2. Service improvement, for example redesigning pathways, implementing new technology and establishing new services to improve flow and outcomes for patients.
3. Improving the quality of clinical and non-clinical education and training activities, and supporting/mentoring other trainees to engage in quality improvement.
4. Involvement in workforce planning and development of new roles across the MDT to support a sustainable workforce.
5. Improving efficiency and reducing waste.
6. Working across teams and boundaries to engage stakeholders in quality improvement and influence change.
Involvement in and exposure to senior management and organisational decision-making
The chief registrar will attend departmental and divisional management meetings to gain an understanding of management and the wider social, political and economic influences on healthcare delivery. They will also have an opportunity to attend Board meetings. In addition they will be supported to lead any session on service development, improvement and transformation for which they have direct responsibility.
Working for our organisation
Whittington Health serves a richly diverse population and works hard to ensure that all our services are fair and equally accessible to everyone. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the way we look after our staff. We aim to employ a workforce which is as representative as possible of this population, so we are open to the value of differences in age, disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, sexual orientation, and religion or belief. The Trust believes that as a public sector organisation we have an obligation to have recruitment, training, promotion and other formal employment policies and procedures that are sensitive to these differences. We think that by doing so, we are better able to treat our patients as well as being a better place to work.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the full Job Description and the Persons Specification for further details about the job role.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
7. ST4 or above
Desirable criteria
8. Eligibility for Specialist Registration (Combined Programmes) (CESR(CP)).
Experience
Essential criteria
9. Service improvement- redesigning pathways
10. Establishing new services to improve flow and outcomes for patients.
Desirable criteria
11. Implementing new technology
Skills/Qualities
Essential criteria
12. Effective communication skills, written/spoken
13. Problem Solving & Decision Making
14. Promotes equality and values diversity
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND ADULTS
To comply with the Trust’s Safeguarding Children and Adults policies, procedures and protocols. All individual members of staff (paid or unpaid) have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults This will require you to:
15. Ensure you are familiar with and comply with the London Child Protection Procedures and protocols for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people.
16. Ensure you are familiar and comply with the London Multi Agency Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Pan London Procedures.
17. Ensure you are familiar and comply with local protocols and systems for information sharing.
18. Know the appropriate contact numbers and required reporting lines.
19. Participate in required training and supervision.
20. Comply with required professional boundaries and codes of conduct
Whittington Health is committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.